Both have their exciting aspects. Both my boss and I got tired of living in Chicago highrises, even though it has a lot to offer, and my boss is living it up on an island with 10 acres of land and shoreline and wouldn't have it any other way. Me on the other hand, I moved to somewhere that's still closer to a city (so I can still enjoy all the things a city resident can) while having the luxury of a huge house with a private office, big back yard, and a garage full of toys for me to tinker with.

Completely agree. There are many different lifestyles, none inherently better than the other. I just disagree with the sentiment that the only reason to live in a big city is because of work. At least for the kind of positions people on HN tend to hold. It's not like working fully remotely was impossible pre-pandemic.

I definitely see the appeal of owning a huge house and I might well consider it in the future, especially if I have children. But for now, I wouldn't know what to do with it. I own few things of the maximal quality I can afford. Even my city apartment is viewed as somewhat spartanic by some. So I prefer renting an entire place in different parts of the country with my girlfriend or friends for a couple of days at the time meanwhile living in my favorite part of the city where most everything I want to do or need is within 20 minutes walking distance.